You may view previous editions of the bulletin from the listing to the right.
Yeah, November is here! November is here! Aren't we all glad that the month of November has finally arrived! Is my positive spin working? Usually, we turn the page of the calendar, and we are shocked and appalled that a month has burned by and the next one is starting already.
I am reminded of wind-sprints, where the team sprints to one end of the field and just when you turn around, the coach blows his whistle to sprint back. Month after month, the wind-sprints continue. Together we groan with each big effort. Reaching the end, we share a brief glance or smile, adn then start again with the next big effort. It sounds like every team or any team, getting ready to play. Those who are ill or hurt stand on the sidelines and watch. They can't wait to get back in there and be with the team again. They can't wait to strain and complain and work with the team again. Even though we might hear an occasional monku (complaint) or yare yare (tiresome sighs), there are also shared glances and smiles, adn moments of Namandab. I would much rather share in these efforts than to stand peacefully alone.
Just as see in our temple directory, "opportunities to share", "opportunities to learn", when Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment, he thought to keep his new insights to himself. Teaching and sharing the state of enlightenment would be too difficult to undertake. The awakened state of enlightenment would be too difficult for people to comprehend. Sharing the Dharma would be too difficult...learning the Dharma would be difficult. Finally, Shakyamuni concluded to share the Dharma...he concluded that to keep the peace, harmony, and tranquility of enlightenment to himself would be self-serving and dead. The value and meaning in the Dharma and in life is in sharing it with others. The turning of the Wheel of the Dharma was set into motion.
Opportunities to Share and Opportunities to Learn describes the life of the Buddha. They also describe our lives, as we take opportunities and turn them into adventures. This is the life of the Sangha. This is the life of the Nembutsu. Sharing is not the end of it...as we share, we evolve in depth and awareness. The Dharma becomes clearer...the Buddha becomes real. We ourselves become clearer and more real as we ourselves awaken to reality. Namo Amida Butsu.
This month, we look forward to the Fujinkai Memorial Family Service. This special service will be held November 23, at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Laverne Sasaki will be coming to our temple to share his thoughts and experiences of the Nembutsu teachings. Rev. Sasaki is currently enjoying his retirement years in San Bruno, CA. He has served the BCA at the Sacramento Betsuin, Stockton, Mountain View and San Francisco. The Fujinkai Memorial is a time for us to recgonize the efforts and contributions of the women who have served our IOBT through their roles in the Fujinkai (Buddhist Women's Association). Please pass the word, and make every effort to attend.
Gassho,
Rev. Dennis
This newsletter is being written the day after the Bazaar - what a relief it was from the noise level, not enough for everyone without bumping into each other, bodies getting tired from the hours of preparations and on top of that, we had to clean and put things away. All we can is Thanks to our co-chairpersons, Jean Kitamura and Dyke Nagasaka for their time and effort in getting things organized. Also, Thanks to everyone who donated their time and all the donations to support this Bazaar - it was appreciated very much. We would all like to thank the temple for the nice fiberglass stacking trays that were purchased, replacing those wooden long trays. The cleanliness of the new trays, and ease to handle them and clean them was just wonderful. Thanks to Joan Suyematsu who looked into this.
The Temple parking lot is finally getting done - it looks nice. After they get the marking lines where to park, it wont be as confusing to some of us oldies. Be patient, it will get done for those who are concerned.
Thanks to the IOBT YBA and Sangha Taiko for the nice spaghetti luncheon benefit that was held on October 12th. The social room was decorated in colors of purple and white with streamers and balloons to match. The decorations were left up for the Bazaar day, which made it very festive.
Nursing home visitation for Nyssa and Ontario will be done October 27th with Joan Suyematsu and Ann Nagaki accompanying Rev. Fujimoto. Might mention and thank the Dharma School children who decorated the Kleenix boxes, which we will take to the care centers and home visits.
Another Thanks goes to all those who helped on Kakimochi Day. I noticed we had less helpers, but those who came to help were very helpful and we got the job done. We decided to make less batches because the day gets too long for the over "80" bodies. We had a nice lunch of stew made by Matsy's and a tray of mini subs provided by the Temple. Members brought in lots of goodies and side dishes and desserts. The fellowship with everyone made our day lighter and very thankful.
Don't forget, BWA meeting will be held on November 2nd and BWA Memorial Services will be held on November 23rd.
Dharma School Schedule:
October 5th: No church. Kakimochi making. Thank you to all the kids that helped out. You were a BIG help with all your energy. Also, several of you stayed and helped clean up...GREAT JOB!!!
October 12th: The kids worked on their DANA for the end of the year.
October 19th: No church. Bazaar.
October 24th: Halloween party at 6:30 p.m. Short service before dinner and activities.
October 26th: No Dharma school service, due to having service for the Halloween party.
November 1st: Temple clean-up. Children come at 10:00 a.m.
November 2nd: Regular Dharma School Service - with DANA lesson.
November 9th: Regular Dharma School Service - Dana project for the elderly visitation in December.
November 16th: Regular Dharma School Service - Talk about students role in Fujinkai Memorial
November 23rd: Combined Fujinkai Memorial at 11:00 a.m. with Dharma School Students participation.
November 30th: Regular Dharma School Service - prepare for Bodhi Day
On October 12, 2008, a successful and fun IOBT Scholarship Fund spaghetti luncheon was held. The basement of the temple was transformed into the Old Italian Social Hall, complete with checkered table cloths, candles, festive balloons and streamers, flowers and music. The YBA was assisted by Sangha Taiko in preparing the meal consisting of garden salad, spaghetti, garlic bread, brownie dessert with ice cream, beverage and after dinner mints. Each guest was given a book marker written in Japanese Kanji, "ichi go ichi e", meaning once in a life time, as a small token of appreciation.
The event was immediately following Sunday Service. All who attended were seated and served. It was important for all of the older generations to be honored as their selfless giving has made and continues to make Dharma Educational opportunities available to the rest of the Sangha.
Servers consisted of parents and members of the YBA, Dharma School children and teachers, MAP members, Sangha Taiko, and others. There was a cooperative feel of working together to serve all the luncheon guests. No one went home hungry as there was plenty of spaghetti for the all you can eat event.
All of the proceeds from this event will be given to the IOBT Scholarship Fund. These monies will be used to fund the educational grants awarded by the Scholarship Committee to Temple members who seek to further their Buddhist education.
This years Dharma School theme of "DANA" (selfless giving) was demonstrated and seen in many ways throughout the whole process of planning, preparing and serving this meal. There were also many acts of DANA monetary donations made toward the IOBT Scholarship Fund.
Gassho, Sharmon Sadamori
Mary Nakamura grew up in Auburn, WA where she worked on the farm picking strawberries, and also did the clerking at the family owned SH Foods Store in Kent. The house that she lived in for 6 years as a young child is now a historical site called The Neely Mansion. It features an outside Japanese bath, or furuba, which her father had built. She's been to many different Buddhist Temples, including in Canada, Hawaii and many others in various states. Her favorite time of year is in the Spring when all the flowers are in bloom.
Designated Memorial Service Years for 2007. To schedule a family memorial service, please contact Reverend Fujimoto. 1 Year = 2006, 3 year = 2005, 7 year = 2001, 13 year = 1995, 17 year = 1991, 25 year = 1983, 33 year = 1975 and 50 year = 1958.
Isao and Mary Kameshige, Randy, Jayne and Mimi Kameshige, Brian Kameshige, Ben Kaneyama and Tom Kamimae.
Thanks to George Yanagawa for beautifying the Temple yard for the Bazaar.
Jimmy Hondo, Kiku Hondo, Delores Wood, Karen Hata, Lorinda Hasegawa, Mary Nakamura, Shiz Inouye, Hideo Harada, Ruth Harada and Ann Nagaki.
Idaho Oregon Buddhist Temple
286 SE 4th Directions
PO Box 397 (mailing address)
Ontario, Oregon 97914
541-889-8562 (office)
541-889-8662 (fax)
10:00 am - IOBT Choir Practice
10:30 am - Adult Study
10:30 am - Dharma School Service
11:00 am - Adult Service
11:00 am - Dharma School Class
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